Yulin Garlic Bulbs

Yulin Garlic Bulbs

　　Yulin garlic bulbs have been cultivated for over a thousand years. They are large in size, with firm cloves, spicy and juicy, tender yet fragrant, and their stem skins are mostly purple, though some are white. Recognized as a local specialty of Guangxi, they enjoy a wide market, high export value, and good economic returns. The main production areas are concentrated in Rendong, Renhou, Fumian, Daping Mountain, and other regions. Yulin garlic bulbs are cold-resistant and thrive in loose, sandy soil. Both the seedling and bulb growth stages require consistently moist soil. They are planted in winter each year and harvested in spring and summer of the following year. Garlic farmers dry the harvested bulbs along with their leaves, bundle them into small sheaves, and hang them in kitchens to be smoked. This method helps preserve them for longer periods, protects against pests, and maintains their flavor. From the Qing Dynasty to the Republican era, they were mostly traded in Fumian Market, transported by boat via Beihai, and exported to Southeast Asia. After liberation, garlic cultivation expanded significantly. Each year during spring and summer, after harvest, the bulbs were primarily distributed in Rendong Market, Yulin Grand Market, and the North Great Road Farmers' Market. From the 1950s to the 1970s, they were purchased and distributed by state-owned local product departments, becoming highly sought-after commodities at the Central-South and Southern Guangxi Trade Fairs, often outstripping supply. Between 1980 and 1990, the average annual planting area was 12,700 mu, with a yield of 5,744.1 tons. In 1990, the planting area reached 13,200 mu, with a total output of 6,864 tons. Since the 1980s, the average annual export volume has been 2,430 tons, peaking at 4,834 tons, with shipments going to the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, and other countries and regions. Yulin garlic bulbs have a pungent and warming aroma and are rich in nutrients such as protein, fat, sugar, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C, offering notable medicinal benefits. They are known to "reduce inflammation, soothe the stomach, warm the middle energizer, and eliminate pathogenic toxins." Garlic bulbs are also a common seasoning—adding a few cloves when cooking melons, vegetables, fish, or meat enhances the flavor with their pleasant aroma. (Yulin)